Question

A single 1,000 kg train car moving at 3.0 m/s collides with the back of two 1,000 kg train cars linked together. It latches onto the car it strikes as the two parts of the coupled cars exert forces on each other. What is the speed of the cars immediately afterward?

So I got to the point where 1000 x 3.0 which = 3000 and the weight of all the cars put together is 3000 and since the other 2 cars aren't in motion the speed would get reduced to 1.0 m/s right?

Answer 1

I'd say so. Momentum conservation says m*(3[m/s])+2*m*(0[m/s])=3m*vf => vf=1[m/s].

Answer 2

Cool thanks

Answer 3

Np.